The Portuguese company Arborea is developing a commercial microalgae plant in Portugal – it will be operational in 2027 – using “biosolar foil” technology to produce proteins and pigments from photosynthetic microalgae. This patented technology uses gas-permeable membranes made from recycled plastic, allowing microalgae to capture sunlight and atmospheric CO2 and sunlight without pressurization. It overcomes the contamination and cost challenges of traditional systems, promising low-cost, contamination-free production. The system is modular, with a capex 10 times lower than that of tubular photobioreactors, and allows for the cultivation of a wide variety of microorganisms. Arborea is currently focusing on spirulina, with a water-soluble and taste-neutral protein product, and has already signed development agreements with multinational companies.
Source : arborea.io
